Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-02-23
Gales aud Sketfhes.
A WOMAN's WIT.

used to laugh at the idea that woman
could outwit man. used to say, that.
smart as she might be, man with his
senses about him was smarter still. That
she could be detected in an instant and
it so plain in her face that no one could
be deceived tor moment. And that she
could 90 nowhere without attracting at
tention, and needed male protector
whenever she did anything out of the
common way. such as taking journey.
or going out after dark, as she never knew
how to despatch parcels or messages
quietly, and had no ideas of the hours OF
railway trains, or the way to get any
where or do anything legally. the man
who allowed himself to be outwitted by
her was little less than an IDIOT
| have altered my mind now. have
been the guardian of Miss Matilda Mid
debury for twenty-four hours, and | re-
woke all that have said. A woman can
not tie up a parcel, get to an unknown
part of the world. cut anything with a
knife, or give a direction properly; but
when she makes up her mind to marry
some one who is willing, old clovenhoof
and all his imps could not battle her.
She'll have her own way.
Miss Matilda Middlebury Is young lady
of twenty-five years. l., as her fathers
legal adviser, knew her exact age. Be-
fore last Thursday had never seen her
face to face. 1t was this wise: There
came to me. per post. letter dated Clar-
ence Hall, and written, as | saw at once,
by some person in violent rage. Lines
all crooked. Letters any shape. This is
what it said to me:
CLEMENCE HALL, Saturday.
Mr. Martin.
Dear Sir,-I shall make no apology for
troubling you about matter which you
will perhaps consider little ont of your
sphere | should not make any apology
TIC the king Of anywhere tor asking him to
pull me out of the water if were drown
ing This is life and death matter to
me; YOU must hel me. Besides, YOU are
my legal adviser and want you to take
the law into your own hands. That is
all.
| have aughter-Matilda Middleburv.
You have made my will in her favor. 1t
is possible that you may have to alter it
vet but that is neither here nor there.
That daughter is now twenty-five years
old; consequently of age and her own
mistress. She has chosen to fall in love
with contemplate, good for-nothing
rascal whom have forbidden to speak to
her again, and she is determined to marry
him. She tried to bumbug me, the jade,
and promised to give him up; but have
positive information that she intends TO
marry him on Thursday afternoon. All
naHn and tho trnpks
packed for departure to Europe. | for
got to say that she is visiting friend at
street, New York.
The rascal comes there every evening,
PLAYS the piano, sings sentimental songs
and makes love- The other girl is in the
plot, and is going to be bridesmaid. And
here am with the govt in my right foot,
chained down at Clemence Hall, without
friend dare trust in the world save
you.
For heavens sake, find me the girl.
Take her into custody. Arrest her.
Do what you choose with her-only don't
lose sight of her until you bring her safe
to me. don't care what it costs; do it.
I'm rich man. Any bill will be con-
sdered reasonable. You have the I'M
dying gratitude of your old friend in the
bargain. of course.
Matilda does not know anything about
law, and is awfully afraid of it. Remem-
Der, out of your sight one moment, and
all is over. Thank heaven you never
married and have no daughter.
Yours truly, JP. MTDDLEBURY
p. S. No., street. Don't forget
Lady by the name of Stark, wife of Dr.
Stark, is the person she is visiting.
JPN
My friends, the man who would desert
then his fellow-men under such circum-
stances, must be lower even than the
brutes. | confided the business to nv
partner. telling him that affairs of i'm
portance called me from home, and with
brush and comb, walked over to Nh.
street, without any further delay,
and requested to see Matilda Middlebury
In five minutes she came into the room
"a short, plump, very broad-shouldered
young woman, with a turn-up nose, big
black eyes, long eyelashes, and crisp,
curly black hair. Her color came and
went. so that one moment her cheek was
dappled with red, and the next clear
brunette tint. She had white teeth and
pretty hands, and knew by the way she
looked at me that she had spirit; but
knew also, that women are ignorant of
law. and so | thought could manage her
"Miss Middlebury," said I.
Yes, sir" said She
MIR Martin, OF Martin, Grub & Co, ;"
I,said bowling.
Il am much pleased to see you, Mr..
Martin" said she. "I've heard papa
speak of you"
My dearest friend-one of them. at
least" | said. Your father is man for
a daughter to be proud OF, Miss Middle
bury"
"Yes." said she, Il suppose so. And
what did papa tell you to say to me?"
my dear young lady," said |, do you
know that you are seriously offending
your good papap"
''To be seriously offended is pas nor
NAL condition." she replied. 80 it don't
much matter"
You are aware that | made a will in
your favor some time ?" I asked.
And papa threatens to alter it if show
any desire to please myself in anything"
said Miss Matilda. II presume he sent
you here to say 80. He has said it vsrv
often himself. very often indeed; and
tell you. as | told him. that money,
though desirable. is nothing when it stands
in the way Of the strongest feelings of
ones life. What is the use of mincing
matters? You know he objects to my
marriage, but am Of age ; he is unreason-
able. intend to do ~ | please You